The Valley of Flowers is a picturesque national park located high in the Himalayas of Uttarakhand, India. Every monsoon, this remote valley at 3,600 metres transforms into a carpet of alpine blooms so vivid that it earned a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
A Valley Discovered by Accident
In 1931, mountaineer Frank Smythe lost his way returning from an expedition and wandered into a valley ablaze with flowers. His book "The Valley of Flowers" introduced the world to this hidden Eden, and the name simply stayed.
Six Hundred Species of Colour
Over 600 species of flora bloom here in waves — blue poppies, cobra lilies, marigolds, orchids and the elusive Brahma Kamal, Uttarakhand's state flower that blossoms for a single night. The valley is also home to snow leopards, musk deer and the Himalayan blue sheep.
Planning the Trek
The valley opens June to October; the bloom peaks in late July and August. The trail starts from Govindghat near Badrinath — a 17 km trek to the village of Ghangaria, then a gentle 3 km walk into the valley itself. No overnight stay is allowed inside the park, which is precisely why it remains pristine.
Some places photograph well; this one refuses to fit in a frame. Go, walk slowly, and let the Himalayas show you what a garden looks like when nature is the only gardener.
